GENERAL NEWS ~ Class 321s,

Harry Here Today. Welcome To Our General News Update Post! Without Further Ado....

To see what has already been posted, and to be able to refer to these developing stories, see here, here and here. 

RENATUS:
This programme is well underway, as reported! Units 321303, 321304 and 321321 (as seen to the right, captured by J Maxim at Doncaster) are all due back in Anglia following Renatus overhaul this Spring. Fleet List for the full database. 

321303 is seen here, following on from Corrosion repairs, a repaint and awaiting overhaul. This unit, as you can see, is in the newer AGA livery style. 321303 is the first unit due back, in April. 

PHOTO: J. Webb 2016 (C). 

321448 DEMOMSTRATOR:
Currently at Old Dalby for tests, following on from trials with Greater Anglia. It's due back soon for AC traction trials.

EX-LONDON MIDLAND CLASS 321S
321417 is now at Doncaster for repaint and overhaul, prior to conversion into a 320/4 when the non-pantograph centre carriage is removed before it joins the ScotRail fleet. 

321413/321414 are both on sub-lease to London Overground before they tranfer to Doncaster for conversion to be ready to join the fleet at Abellio ScotRail.

TOMROROW: Week Review, by myself. 
Regards:

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07/02/17: Recent Goings On

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Abellio Greater Anglia to Abellio East Anglia

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As Many Of You Are Aware, The AGA Franchise Renews This October For Services In East Anglia, Including To Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire. Abellio Continue The Franchise, But Renamed East Anglia Ltd.  Greater Anglia, as it was at first, began in February 2012 - operating the short term tender which was due to expire in July 2014. However, the Government later extended this franchise, and it then became the rebranded Abellio Greater Anglia.
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Reminder: Stock + Service Changes, Abellio East Anglia.

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Exclusive ~ VirginTrains ~ Penguilino & Claus 91

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To get into the Xmas spirit, Virgin Trains have unveiled East Coast  82209 & 91128  and Virgin West Coast revealed Pendolino 390013 in their Winter-style livery, as designed by Madeleine Deakin (aged 11) and Amber Maxfield (age 9) whom won a competition earlier this season.  The units were unveiled at London Kings Cross this morning and will remain in the livery until January. Claus 91, as it's been named, operates on the East Coast mainline between Kings Cross and Scotland via Penguinborough, whilst the Penguilino can be found on Virgin Trains West Coast services between London Euston and The North (North Pole) via Ho Ho Crewe.
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SOUTH - Last Day of Class 458/0 Operations

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©Liam Jenkins Good Evening, Liam here, offering you a post regarding the last day of South West Trains Class 458/0 service. Enjoy! On Sunday 8th November 2015, South West Trains operated the last day of Class 458/0s on the units' final day of operations. These units are to be sent to Doncaster Works, where they will be refurbished with the Gatwick Express Class 460s into a new Class 458/5 class.
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Special - Rebuilding the 1960's Class 73's.

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It's Friday, and today's post is a special! Not as I'm here (Andy)... Class 73's were built in the 1960's and generally used in the Southern region. In 2013, it was announced that GB Railfreight would initially be re-building 5 Class 73's to make them Class 73/9's. The complete re stripping and rebuilding has taken place at Brush Traction in Loughborough.  The Class 73/9's first started testing in late 2014 (73 961 - 965) as there had been some issues, however they were all resolved pretty soon. The 73/9's are intended to work infrastructure trains (test trains under Network Rail) and also to be used on Rail Head Treatment Trains. As a result of the rebuild, it has given the Class 73/9's up to 25 years more in service, and more 73/9's are to be released over the coming months which should see them introduced on to the Serco Sleeper eventually!
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Peter Skuce Reports (6A)

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